Cold weather and low wind speeds linked to cardiac arrest spikes

A five-year study published in the journal Public Health has identified a consistent link between cold, calm weather and spikes in out-of-hospital cardiac arrests. Researchers analyzed 114,830 cases recorded by the Hungarian National Ambulance Service from late 2018 through 2023.

The findings indicate that for every 1 degree Celsius drop in temperature, daily cardiac arrests increased by 1.4%. On the most extreme days, cardiac arrest counts rose nearly a third above normal, averaging approximately 19 extra cases nationwide. These spikes were most frequently associated with colder temperatures and lower wind speeds.

Statistical analysis and machine learning models confirmed that winter months saw nearly 18% more cardiac arrests than summer months. Conversely, higher wind speeds appeared to have a protective effect, potentially due to improved air quality. Researchers suggest that weather forecasting could eventually provide emergency services with early warnings to prepare for surges in cardiovascular emergencies.